Just four teams clinched their position as division champions prior to the final weekends of play in March in Las Vegas, where the remaining division champions were crowned. Of the 16 National League titles captured during play in Las Vegas, 15 were decided on the respective final day of the boy’s and girls’ seasons — showcasing the league’s depth of talent.

By way of their success in the 2013-14 US Youth Soccer National League, the top two finishers in each division have earned a direct path to the final leg of the nation's most elite and prestigious competition, providing the opportunity for additional exposure to collegiate and national staff scouts and the chance to capture the National Championship title in their respective age group.

2013-2014 National League representatives for the 2014 US Youth Soccer National Championships

Seven teams will be returning to the National Championships with a chance to defend their titles — two on the boys’ side and all five possible girls squads. There are also three former National Champions who earned a chance to reclaim their titles in Germantown after qualifying through the National League.

National League Girls Results:

Legends FC 99 (CA-S) is heading back to Nationals after securing a second-place finish in the Under-14 Blue Division during its first National League campaign. The defending National Champions completed their season one point behind Tophat 18 Gold (GA), which won the division by going 5-0-2. In the Red Division, Carlsbad Elite 99 (CA-S) recorded six wins and a tie to claim the title.

Defending National Champion Eastside FC 98 Red (WA) dropped just one game in its first National League season to post a 6-1-0 record and take the Under-15 Blue Division championship. The team that Eastside beat for the National title, YMS Premier Xplosion 98 (E-PA), is also heading to Germantown after finishing as the runner-up to Pride Predators 99 (CO) in the Red Division.

With the only blemish of its National League season coming in its final game, Eclipse Elite Black 97/98 (IL) earned a chance to defend its National title by winning the Under-16 Blue Division. Meanwhile, 2012 National Champions MRM Coyotes (MD) finished second in the division and will have a chance to return to the top this July. In the Red Division, Carlsbad Elite 97/98 (CA-S) finished its season strong in Las Vegas to claim the title and will look to carry that momentum into the National Championships.

A win on the season’s final day helped 2013 National Champions DMCV Sharks Elite (CA-S) win the Under-17 Blue Division crown. They’ll have to contend with Red Division winner Carlsbad Elite (CA-S), which posted a perfect 7-0-0 record while conceding just one goal in the National League this season.

Cleveland United White (OH-N) will have a chance to defend its National title after finishing second in the Under-18 Blue Division. The group winner, Beach FC Ingrassia (CA-S), posted a record-tying 26 goals en route to a 7-0-0 record and should be a very tough team to contend with in Germantown. Meanwhile, 2012 National Champion BRYC 95 Elite (VA) finished first in the Red Division while also posting 26 goals.

National League Boys Results:

After going 0-2-1 at Nationals last year as the Region II Champion, Raiders FC (IL) will get a chance to improve on that performance after winning the Under-14 Blue Division title. United FA 00 Elite (GA) will also be making its second trip to the National Championships, as it went 6-1-0 to capture the Red Division title.

Loudoun 98 Red (VA) put on a historic defensive display, as it did not concede a single goal en route to winning the Under-15 Blue Division title. While Loudoun clinched a spot in Nationals in December, Red Division winner Albion SC (CA-S) used a late winner in its final game of the season to claim the title and punch its ticket to Germantown.

A November victory against 2012 National finalist Sunrise Elite 97/98 (FL) helped OP Eagles Dublin G1 (OH-S) edge the Florida side for the Under-16 Blue Division title. OP Eagles and Sunrise will be joined in Germantown by 2013 National runner-up Dix Hills Elite (E-NY), which went 6-0-1 without conceding a goal in its National League campaign.

Under-17 Blue Division winner FC Golden State White (CA-S) is heading to Nationals, along with two former National title winners. The defending National Champion, Smithtown Arsenal (E-NY) is looking to repeat after winning the Red Division. Making it two titles in a row won’t be easy for Smithtown, as two-time National Champions Fullerton Rangers 96 White (CA-S) finished as the Blue Division runners-up and are eager to win a third crown.

Both teams that played in last year’s National Championship final claimed division titles in the 2013-14 National League Under-18 age group. Defending Champion West Coast FC (CA-S) went 4-0-3 to claim the Blue Division title, while 2013 National runner-up CUP Gold 95/96 (OH-S) cruised to the Red Division title.

The 40 Boys and Girls teams that qualified for the National Championships through the National League will be joined by 56 US Youth Soccer Regional Champions to complete the field of 96 teams this summer in Germantown, Md.

The National League kicked off the season in November 2013, with the boys starting things off in Wilson, N.C. Girls play kicked off two weeks later at the same location. The boys and girls each played on separate dates in late December and January alongside the Disney Soccer Showcase in Orlando, Fla. The final two weekends took place alongside the Players Soccer Showcase in Las Vegas. The Boys finished their season March 14-16, while the girls wrapped up play March 21-23. Each weekend of play provided key recruiting and scouting opportunities for college coaches seeking future impact players.

The National League is an extension of the highly successful US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues (US Youth Soccer Region I Premier League, Midwest Regional League, Region III Premier League and Far West Regional League). The National League provides an avenue for teams to play in meaningful matches against top competition from across the country for continued development and opportunities for exposure at the national team, collegiate and professional levels.

National League teams earn their place in the league based on a proven track record of success in US Youth Soccer regional and national competitions and are among the nation's best. Competing for a league title and a spot in the US Youth Soccer National Championships, each and every game plays into who represents the National League this summer in Germantown, Md.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships cap a yearlong series of competitions that comprise the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. Boys and girls teams in multiple age groups earn their way by competing against the top teams in their state and region. US Youth Soccer State Champions and selected wildcard teams are eligible to compete in one of four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. The champions in the Under-13 through Under-19 age groups from each regional event will converge in the finals with the National League teams. Click here for the dates and locations of the Regional Championships.

For more information on the US Youth Soccer National Championships, visit http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org, the online home for the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, providing the latest in news, information and more. Get all US Youth Soccer National Championship Series updates on Twitter.